📍 Cashel Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
📍 Address: Cashel Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
📞 Phone: +64 3 379 7400
🌐 Website: ballantynes.co.nz
Great store - quality at its best. Support this business as it is an increasingly rare to see such thriving department stores. Prices are on the upper side - but delivers a quality product with great customer service.
We purchased one of the Christmas gift baskets, which was delivered today and has been kept completely unopened in its original box, with the receipt. As the receipt clearly states that returns are accepted, I was under the impression that returning or exchanging the item would not be an issue, as is the case at all stores in Christchurch. When I called to arrange the exchange, the receptionist — rather rudely — informed me that this was not possible because the item was classified as a “pantry item.” This was particularly surprising, given that there is not a single pantry item included in the gift basket. Nice job, Ballantynes. It seems that reputation and customer service are no longer priorities for your store — just revenue, right?
Absolutely terrible Santa photos. Photos taken from such a distance that mainly it is advertising Ballantynes. Wanted ‘deluxe’ Santa photos for potentially our oldest’s last Christmas but got the worst set of photos we have ever had. So disappointed. Also, what is the point of making an appointment? We arrived at the specified time only to have to queue up and people taken in the order of the queue rather than the specified time. With an anxious dog who isn’t great with others, I imagined an appointment would mean we didn’t have to queue for 30 minutes and be taken well after our appointment slot. Such a disappointing waste of money. Have rebooked for another establishment that has been way better in the past. A refund of our waste of money would be appreciated. Added - Notice you respond to positive reviews but ignore not so favourable ones. Obviously an indicator of your service. Please contact me to let me know who to send my bank account details to for a refund for the shocking experience we had at your store.
The store is exceptionally well-appointed, offering an impressive selection of premium brands and a meticulously curated layout that reflects genuine attention to detail. However, the customer experience did not meet the same standard. During my 45-minute visit, the staff appeared more focused on maintaining displays than engaging with customers. Although it was clear they were aware of my presence and observed from a distance, no one approached to offer assistance. This created a somewhat unwelcoming and impersonal atmosphere that detracted from an otherwise beautifully presented retail space.
Excellent customer service. I purchased three frozen ready made meals to take with me back to Auckland. The very attentive lady who served me carefully wrapped the goods and packaged them so I could carry them on the plane. In other departments staff were always quick to greet us and offer help.
Online shopping experience has been pretty bad from the last few times I’ve shopped with them. They left a security tag on a top I purchased and failed to send the correct item. Recently I purchased a coat which they then refunded as it was no longer in stock. While the website does state the order isn’t confirmed until it has been dispatched, it seems strange to not have a system in place that knows the number of stock of a certain item (even though it said there was one in stock when I ordered)
I usually really enjoy shopping at Ballantynes but my last couple of visits haven’t left me feeling very satisfied. I came in for a bra fitting a month ago, but the lady was extremely unhelpful. After trying on so many bras she said I couldn’t be fitted and they didn’t hold my size… I found that very hard to believe. She didn’t know what she was doing. I ended up going to the fitting room up the road who helped me with a fitting perfectly and I purchased several bras - they went above and beyond. More recently, I came in over the weekend and was looking at the star wars watches. The sale is currently happening and the sign said “20% off all watches and jewellery, excluding already reduced items” - the star wars range was not already reduced so you would assume these were included in the sale. Well apparently not. I was told they could not honour the 20% off with this range - if this was the case, then it should be clearly stated on the sale sign in this area, however it certainly is not. Really disappointed with this service.
My wife had a wonderful experience buying a new wallet at Ballantynes a few weeks ago so I went in expecting the same. Unfortunately men aren’t the priority customer. Nearly all the men’s wallets (there’s not very many) are locked behind glass (the women’s ones aren’t) meaning I couldn’t browse them at my own leisure, so after waiting some time to be shown a Ted Baker wallet which turned out to feel cheaply made, I gave in and took my money elsewhere.
Ballantynes Department Store is located at Cashel Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
You can contact Ballantynes Department Store at +64 3 379 7400
You can find directions to Ballantynes Department Store by following this map link
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